Automatic fiber processing system including method and apparatus for producing end-aligned fiber samples

ABSTRACT

The apparatus for the preparation of an end-aligned fiber sample comprises an array of fiber combs, a first drive unit, a fiber collection device connected to the first drive unit, a suction device, a detection device and a control unit to control each of the foregoing components. The method for preparing an end-aligned fiber sample uses the control unit to operate each of the foregoing components to prepare an end-aligned fiber sample. The apparatus can be combined with testing units for testing the end-aligned fiber samples. One of the testing units can test for short fiber content. The testing for short fiber content also can employ the detection device of the apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to automatic fiber processing. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to method and apparatus forpreparing fiber samples and measurement of fiber characteristics fromthose samples.

When processing natural fibers, especially cotton, ensuring the desiredquality of the fibers remains one of the most important considerations.The market value of the fibers depends on their quality. To this end, itis necessary to conduct constant monitoring of the raw fiber productthat serves as the feedstock to be processed. Such monitoring typicallyoccurs by means of testing that is performed on samples taken at randomfrom the raw fed product before it is introduced into the process.

The testing aims to determine quality factors such as length, lengthuniformity, strength, elongation, trash, color, micronaire and fineness.Different efforts have been made to automate the standardized tests thatmeasure these quality factors. Some of these efforts are detailed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,167,150 (tension elongation and cross-sectionalproperties); U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,394 (fiber strength); U.S. Pat. No.6,040,905 (fiber color grading); U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,454 (moisturecontent, trash content, micronaire, maturity, length distribution,strength, elongation); which patents are hereby incorporated herein bythis reference. However, the preparation of the fiber samples for thesetests was normally carried out by hand or in a less than fully automatedmanner.

Typical steps involved in obtaining the fiber characteristics from afiber bundle, such as a cotton sample, include the gathering of aspecimen sample from a larger amount of fibers, preparing the specimenfor testing and then performing a number of tests upon the preparedspecimen. The step of preparing of the specimen sample for testing mayinvolve carding and brushing of the specimen fibers. The form of thetest specimen may vary depending upon the fiber characteristics that aremeasured. The tests performed upon such specimen may measurecharacteristics such as length, length uniformity, strength, elongation,micronaire, fineness, color and trash. The measured characteristics mayalso further be used for deriving additional parameters throughcalculations, regressions or such other means. Such characteristics mayinclude those that are not easily measured directly, such as proportionof short fibers, maturity, predicted yarn parameters, consolidated fiberquality indices, etc.

Among the several pieces of equipment capable of measuring fiber qualitycharacteristics at high speed are those manufactured by PremierPolytronics, India, which is the owner of this application, andZellweger Uster, USA. In such systems, the measurement of length iscarried out on a tapered beard sub-sample, which is obtained by grippingthe fibers at a random catching point. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,584,which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference. In such cases,the sample contains fibers arranged so that the direction of eachfiber's length extension is parallel to the direction of each otherfiber's length extension. However, the ends of these fibers are notaligned with each other in a straight line along either opposite edge ofthe specimen.

Such a specimen broadly represents the manner in which the fibers arearranged in fiber assemblies such as sliver, roving and yam. Hence, thelength measurements made with such a sample are widely used foroptimizing the machinery parameters, particularly the roller settings.But these methods do not give a satisfactory estimate of the short fibercontent in the sample.

A second known method of measuring short fiber characteristics is byscanning individual fibers, such as is done in Zellweger Uster's AFIS.See U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,787, which is hereby incorporated herein by thisrefrence. However, such a method uses a fixed upper length limit fordefining the short fibers. This is likely to lead to incorrectinterpretation of the results with certain varieties of cotton.Additional disadvantages inherent in this method and apparatus includethe non-linear motion of the fiber across the sensor, the inability toobtain data from fibers that are not suitably arranged for measurement,and the overestimation of the fiber length that occurs upon theoverlapping of more than one fiber.

A reliable estimate of the short fiber content can be obtained only ifthe tests are performed on a sample that has one end of each of thefibers aligned with the ends of the other fibers. With such anend-aligned sample (FIG. 2B for example), the length of the fiberextending from the aligned end represents the full length of the fibers,and so the shorter fibers can be distinguished easily from the longerfibers. This method is used in the conventional manual methods of lengthmeasurement such as the Shirley Comb Sorter or the BaerSorter arraymethod.

Detailed explanation of the manual testing procedure with a ShirleyCombSorter or the BaerSorter array is given in the British StandardsHandbook. An extract of the British Standards Handbook can be found inthe Butterworths Publication “Principles of Textile Testing,” by J. E.Booth. A brief description of the procedure is given below.

In the BaerSorter method, the tester uses a bed of combs, which controlthe fibers and enable the sample to be fractionalized into lengthgroups. A grip, an aluminum depressor and a blunt needle are usedmanually by the tester to manipulate the fibers. From a sample of about20 grams, the test sub-sample is prepared by carefully drawing anddoubling fiber tufts several times until the fibers are straightenedalong their lengths, which in turn are rendered parallel to each other.During this preparation process, fibers are pulled out in tufts ofsuccessively shorter lengths by means of the grip, the longest first bysuccessively dropping the combs as required. The fibers are combed,straightened and laid down on a velvet pad with the straight edgeagainst a marked line in decreasing order of fiber length. The outlineproduced by the upper ends of the fibers is similar to a cumulativefrequency diagram. Provided that the fibers are evenly spaced on thevelvet pad, distances along the base line are proportional to the numberof fibers. The shape of the distribution provides preliminaryinformation on the length characteristics. A more detailed analysis canbe performed by transferring the shape to a tracing. With this tracing,detailed information such as short fiber percentage, effective length,etc., are obtained by various geometrical constructions.

Though manual, time-consuming and labor intensive, the BaerSorter methodis still considered to be the best among the available methods formeasurement of short fibers. However, while these manual methods haveproved to be useful reference measures for other length measuringequipment, these manual methods themselves cannot be used for regularmeasurement due to the unacceptable time required for performing suchmeasurements.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Considering the above situation, it is a principal object of the presentinvention to provide a fiber testing apparatus capable of automaticallyproviding end-aligned fiber samples for testing length characteristicsat speeds compatible with high volume testing methods.

It is another principal object of the present invention to provide afiber testing apparatus capable of automatically providing end-alignedfiber samples and testing the samples to determine a reliable estimateof the short fiber content of the samples.

It is also a principal object of the present invention to eliminate theknown disadvantages in a fiber testing system for the automaticdetermination of material parameters. The system should include theautomatic preparation of a sample composed of end-aligned fibers. Thematerial parameters are to be determinable with a high repeatingaccuracy as well as precision and in as little time as possible. Thetransport mechanism is to be simple, maintenance friendly andinexpensive.

The invention includes a method and apparatus for preparation ofend-aligned fiber samples, both one-at-a time and multiple samplesprepared simultaneously. Alterative embodiments can include method andapparatus for measurement of fiber length and thereby measurement of theproportion of short fibers. In other alternative embodiments, theforegoing can be effected desirably in combination with measurement ofother fiber characteristics in a known or improved means.

These objects and others are achieved by the various embodiments of theinvention that are defined in the patent claims.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate at least one presently preferredembodiment of the invention as well as some alternative embodiments.These drawings, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention but by no means are intended to beexhaustive of all of the possible manifestations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a top plan view of a fiber sample in a state in whichneither end of the sample has been end-aligned.

FIG. 2B shows a top plan view of a fiber sample in a state in which oneend of the sample has been end-aligned in accordance with one aspect ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3A shows a front plan view of a fiber comb array in which the frontcomb is disposed in its raised position at the same height as all of theother combs in the array.

FIG. 3B shows a front plan view of a fiber comb array in which the frontcomb is disposed in its lowered position that is beneath the height ofthe other combs in the array.

FIG. 4A-1 schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B-1 schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4A-1.

FIG. 4C-1 schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4B-1.

FIG. 4D-1 schematically shows a top plan view of a portion of acomponent of an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4C-1.

FIG. 4A-2 schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B-2 schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4A-2.

FIG. 4C-2 schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4B-2.

FIG. 4D-2 schematically shows a top plan view of a portion of acomponent of an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4C-2.

FIG. 4A-n schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B-n schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4A-n.

FIG. 4C-n schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4B-n.

FIG. 4D-n schematically shows a top plan view of a portion of acomponent of an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4C-n.

FIG. 4E-n schematically shows a top plan view of portions of componentsof an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4A-n.

FIG. 5A schematically shows a top plan view of portions of components ofan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B schematically shows a top plan view of portions of components ofan embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C schematically shows a top plan view of portions of components ofan embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5D schematically shows a top plan view of a portion of a componentof an embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5C in relationto a testing station.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the output of a detector.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the output of a detector.

FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of another embodiment of the apparatus ofthe present invention having multiple gripper combs.

FIG. 9 schematically presents a front plan view of components (someshown in cross-section) of the embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention shown in FIGS. 8, 10 & 11.

FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of the embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention having multiple gripper combs shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 schematically presents an elevated perspective view ofcomponents of the embodiment of the apparatus of the present inventionshown in FIGS. 8 & 10.

FIG. 12 schematically presents a front plan view of components (someshown in cross-section) of the embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10 & 11.

FIG. 13 schematically presents an elevated perspective view ofcomponents of the embodiment of the apparatus of the present inventionshown in FIGS. 8 & 10.

FIG. 14 schematically presents an elevated perspective view ofcomponents of the embodiment of the apparatus of the present inventionshown in FIGS. 8 & 10.

FIG. 15 schematically presents an elevated perspective view ofcomponents of the embodiment of the apparatus of the present inventionshown in FIGS. 10, 11 & 12.

FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of an optional component of anembodiment of the present invention taken from a cross-sectionalviewpoint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference now will be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation ofthe invention, which is not restricted to the specifics of the examples.In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Forinstance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment,can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.Thus, it is intended that the present invention include suchmodifications and variations as come within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents. The same numerals are assigned to the samecomponents throughout the drawings and description. A similar numberingscheme is followed to indicate similar components.

Initially, the apparatus for automatically preparing an end-alignedfiber sample will be described together with the methodology performedby this apparatus. Then, the description will explain how otherapparatus and methodology can desirably be combined with the end-alignedfiber preparation apparatus and automated methodology.

FIG. 1 shows an elevated three-dimensional perspective view of anembodiment of an automatic fiber processing system 10 that includes anapparatus for preparation of an end-aligned fiber sample according tothe invention. In accordance with the present invention, the apparatusfor aligning one end of a fiber sample before testing includes an arrayof aligned fiber combs. As embodied herein and shown in FIG. 1 forexample, a fiber comb array 12 is disposed and connected to a tabletop13 of a cabinet 14. As embodied herein and shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B forexample, the fiber comb array 12 includes a rigid frame 11 havingopposed vertical sidewalls 15, 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the sidewalls 15,16 support respective opposite ends of a plurality of fiber combs 17lined up side-by-side and parallel to each other along their respectivelengths. As shown in the top plan view of FIG. 5A for example, each comb17 is arranged so that its length direction is parallel to the lengthdirection of each other comb 17. The individual fiber combs 17 are heldin the array 12 and supported between the two side walls 15, 16.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper edge of each comb 17 includes a pluralityof upwardly projecting needles 18 or teeth that are spaced apart alongthe length of the comb. The sets of needles 18 in the array of fibercombs 17 are used to retain the fiber sample during the process of theend alignment. The needles 18 additionally can be used to perform apartial combing action while the fiber sample is being collected. Thespacing between adjacent needles 18 or teeth desirably is uniform and onthe order of about twice the anticipated maximum thickness of the fibersthat are to be carried by the array 12 of fiber combs 17. The array 12of fiber combs 17 is configured to receive a given fiber sample restingwith the direction of length extension of the fiber strands in thesample generally disposed transversely to the length direction of thefiber combs.

The array 12 of fiber combs includes at least a first fiber comb and asecond fiber comb disposed parallel to and behind the first fiber comb.As schematically shown in FIG. 3B for example, a front fiber comb 21forms a first fiber comb 21 that is disposed in front of a second fibercomb 22. One end of front fiber comb 21 is pivotally connected to aflange 19 that is attached to one sidewall 15 of the frame 11 of thearray 12 of fiber combs 17.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, and 3B, a pneumatic cylinder 20 includes a piston(not visible in the view shown) disposed within the cylinder andconnected to or otherwise integral with one end of a verticallytranslatable piston rod 23. The opposite end of the piston rod 23 ispivotally attached to the front fiber comb 21. The free end of thepiston rod 23 is pivotally connected to an elongated slotted opening 25that is formed in the front fiber comb 21 and elongates in the directionof the length dimension of the first comb 21. A control unit controlsthe provision of pressurized air to the pneumatic cylinder 20. Thecontrol unit is generally designated in FIG. 1 by the number 24 and isdescribed more fully below. The cylinder 20 is disposed so thatoperation of the pneumatic cylinder results in a vertical extension orretraction of the piston rod 23. The full extension of the piston rod 23from the pneumatic cylinder 20 places the front comb 21 in the positionshown in FIG. 3A for example. In this configuration, the front comb 21is aligned with the remaining combs, including the second comb 22, ofthe array 12 of fiber combs 17. When the control unit 24 operates thepneumatic cylinder 20 to retract the piston rod 23 into the cylinder 20as shown in FIG. 3B for example, the front comb 21 pivots verticallydownward and drops below the height at which the remaining combs 17 aremaintained in the array 12 of fiber combs 17. The pivotal connection ofthe free end of the piston 23 moves along the slotted opening 25 in thefront fiber comb 21 in order to accommodate the pivotal motion of thefront fiber comb 21.

In an alternative embodiment that is not separately illustrated, each ofthe opposite ends of the first fiber comb 21 can be mounted on avertically extending track. The opposed tracks enable the first fibercomb 21 to be slidably raised and lowered to and from, respectively, theheight of the other fiber combs 17 in the array 12, including the secondfiber comb 22. In addition to these sliding tracks, the particularmechanism for raising and lowering the first fiber comb 21 can include apinion gear on the end of the rotatable shaft of an electric motor. Arack gear also can be provided and connected to one of the ends of thefirst fiber comb 21. The pinion gear engages the rack gear so thatrotation of the pinion gear powered by the motor causes the raising orlowering (depending on the direction of the rotation of the pinion gear)of the rack gear and the first comb 21 attached to the rack gear. Themotor is controlled by a control unit, which is generally designated inFIG. 1 by the number 24 and described more fully below.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus for aligning oneend of a fiber sample before testing includes a sample collectiondevice. As embodied herein and shown schematically in FIG. 1 forexample, one embodiment of a sample collection device can include agripper comb 26. The gripper comb 26 has at least two jaws that aredisposed in opposition to each other. The jaws are configured toselectively move toward and away from each other to selectively closeand open, respectively. Additional mechanical details of a gripper comb26 suited for use in the present invention are described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,085,584, which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.Other types of gripper combs can be used. For example, the gripper jawscan be mounted on gears that are powered by an electric motor thatrotates the gears in one direction to open the jaws and in the oppositedirection so that the jaws come together to close with the free edges ofthe jaws touching each other. Alternatively, the jaws of the grippercomb 26 can be powered hydraulically or pneumatically. The collectiondevice is connected to and activated by a preprogrammed control unit,which desirably is the same central unit 24 that controls the raisingand lowering of the first comb 21.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus for aligning oneend of a fiber sample before testing includes at least a first driveunit that is configured and disposed to carry the sample collectiondevice and to translate the sample collection device toward and awayfrom the first fiber comb of the array of fiber combs. As embodiedherein and shown in FIG. 1 for example, a first drive unit 28 caninclude a first carriage formed as a plate 29 that is connected to andsupports the gripper comb 26 mounted on the upper surface of the plate29. The plate 29 of the drive unit 28 is likewise connected to arotatable screw 30 that is rotatably powered by an electric motor 31,which is selectively activated by a preprogrammed control unit 24.

As embodied herein, the control unit 24 desirably includes a controllersuch as a microprocessor. Control unit 24 desirably is preprogrammed toautomatically control the individual components of the variousembodiments of the apparatus of the present invention to carry out theprocessing steps of the method of the present invention in its variousembodiments. Some of the components may be hydraulically orpneumatically actuated and thus the control unit 24 would includeelectrically actuatable valves to control the flow of the poweringfluid, be it air or an incompressible fluid such as hydraulic fluid forexample. Other components of the apparatus of the present inventioninclude electrically powered motors and switches that are electricallyor electronically connected to the controller to receive control signalsfrom the microprocessor of the control unit 24. Additionally, variouscomponents of the apparatus of the present invention include sensors andtransducers that are electrically or electronically connected to thecontroller of the control unit 24. Such sensors and transducers carrysignals to the control unit to provide the control unit 24 withinformation concerning the status of various components of the apparatusof the various embodiments of the present invention. Control unit 24 ispreprogrammed to use the information provided by the sensors andtransducers in order to determine the control signals that are returnedto various components of the apparatus of the present invention. Notethat the various connections between the control unit 24 and the othercomponents shown in FIG. 1 have been omitted in order to avoid overlycluttering the drawing.

The control unit 24 determines the direction in which the drive motor 31will rotate and the distance that the linear drive unit 28 willtranslate the gripper comb 26. The screw motor 31 of the first driveunit 28 turns the screw 30 that is threaded through the first carriage29 that is slidably mounted along a first linear track that is disposedalong a direction pointing directly toward and away from the array 12 offiber combs. This direction is indicated by the line designated by thenumeral 32 in FIGS. 4A-2 and 4C-2 for example. As the screw 30 isrotated in one direction, the plate 29 moves toward the array 12 offiber combs as indicated by the arrow designated by the numeral 33 inFIGS. 4A-1, 4A-2, 4A-n and 5A for example. As the motor 31 drives thescrew 30 in the opposite direction, the plate 29 and gripper comb 26mounted thereon moves away from the array 12 of fiber combs 17 asindicated by the arrow designated by the numeral 34 in FIGS. 4C-1, 4C-2,4C-n and 5C for example. In this way, the first drive unit 28 isconfigured to translate the gripper comb 26 selectively toward and awayfrom the array 12 of fiber combs 17 by pre-selected distances.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus for aligning oneend of a fiber sample, includes a suction device that is configured anddisposed to vacuum fibers from the sample collection device. As embodiedherein and shown in FIG. 1 for example, a hollow tube 36 is connected toa vacuum 37 that is driven by an electric motor, which is controlled bythe control unit 24. The control unit 24 activates the motor to operatethe vacuum 37, which sucks the fibers from the open jaws of the grippercomb 26. The control unit 24 is preprogrammed to determine when thefirst drive unit 28 has translated the gripper comb 26 to a locationsufficiently distant from the array 12 of fiber combs 17 so thatoperation of the vacuum 37 will not vacuum fibers from the array 12 offiber combs 17 at the same time as fibers are being vacuumed from thejaws of the gripper comb 26. Once the control unit 24 determines thatthe desired spatial distance exists between the end of the suctionintake of the vacuum, which is disposed adjacent the jaws of the grippercomb 26, and the array 12 of fiber combs, then the control unit 24 opensthe jaws of the gripper comb 26 and activates the vacuum 37. Thereleased fibers travel through the suction intake and are carried by ahollow tube 36 to a waste chamber 38 that is desirably carried beneath aplatform 13 on which the array 12 of fiber combs, the first drive unit28 and the gripper comb 26 are carried, supported and/or connected.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus for aligning oneend of a fiber sample includes a detection device. The detection devicedetermines whether the end-aligned condition of the fibers remainingatop the array 12 of fiber combs 17 has been attained. As embodiedherein and shown schematically in FIG. 4E-n for example, the detectiondevice includes a sensor 40 that is disposed between the first comb 21and the gripper comb 26.

In particular, in the embodiment that is schematically shown in FIG.4E-n for example, the sensor 40 is a light sensor, and the detectiondevice includes a light source 41 that is disposed on one sidewall 15 ofthe frame of the array 12 of fiber combs. The light sensor 40 isdisposed on the opposite side wall 16 of the frame and aligned with thelight source 41 so as to intercept the light beam emitted from the lightsource. The light source 41 is connected to the control unit 24, whichoperates the light source to generate a light beam between the source 41and the sensor 40. The light source 41 is aimed so as to project thelight beam in a straight line along the length of the first comb 21 at aposition just in front of and parallel to the first comb and at a heightwhere the free ends 39 of the fibers carried by the first comb 21 wouldbe expected to intercept the light beam. The light beam desirably is afocused beam of coherent light such as would be produced by a lightsource 41 that is a laser

The light sensor 40 is connected to the control unit 24 and generatessignals proportional to the degree of attenuation of the light beam andtransmits these signals to the control unit 24. At a predetermineddegree of attenuation of the light beam, the signal that is generated bythe light sensor 40 is interpreted by the control unit 24 as indicatingthat the free ends 39 of the fibers supported by the first comb 21 arein an end-aligned condition. The detection device is accordinglyconfigured to determine whether the end-aligned condition of the fibersremaining atop the array 12 of fiber combs has been produced.

Operation of an embodiment of the apparatus and method of the presentinvention now will be described. In one embodiment, a non-end-alignedfiber sample 43 such as shown schematically in FIG. 2A is selected fortesting. The non-end-aligned fiber sample 43 is constituted as anassembly of elongated fibers disposed side-by-side and arranged with thelengths of the individual fibers extending in a direction that isgenerally parallel to each other. The non-end-aligned fiber assembly 43is manually placed on the needles of the fiber combs in the array 12 offiber combs 17. As schematically shown in FIG. 4A-1, the fibers in thefiber assembly 43 are oriented with their lengths disposed in adirection that is normal to the length direction of the first fiber comb21. Thus, the fiber assembly 43 is oriented with the direction ofelongation of the fibers in the fiber assembly 43 is perpendicular tothe direction of the lengths of the fiber combs 17.

After placement of the fiber assembly 43 on the array 12 of needles, theapparatus looks similar to that shown schematically in FIG. 4A-1 withthe array 12 of combs disposed directly beneath the fiber assembly 43ready for starting the preparation processing that results in anend-aligned sample. At this stage, the fibers are arranged in a randomfashion as shown schematically in FIG. 2A. Different lengths of theindividual fibers protrude beyond the front edge of the array 12, thisfront edge being defined by the exposed side of the first comb 21 in theneedle array 12.

The sample preparation process is now commenced wherein the objective isto produce an end-aligned sample 46 having its fibers aligned at one endas shown in FIG. 2B. This is achieved by a repetitive action of thegripper comb 26 on the fiber assembly 43 at the end protruding from thefront edge of the array 12 of needles 18. Briefly, the gripper comb 26moves to the fiber assembly 43, closes on fibers that protrude into thejaws, backs away from the fiber assembly 43 with some of the fibers,discards the fibers that have been acquired, senses the condition of theends of the fibers that remain part of the fiber assembly 43, and thenreturns to the fiber assembly 43 for more of the fibers in a number ofsuccessive operations until only end-aligned fibers remain atop thearray 12 of fiber combs 17. Note that while these processing steps occurin succession, the order of the discarding step and the sensing step canbe reversed or can occur at the same time. Similarly, the sensing stepcan occur before the backing away step is completed.

A first operational sequence of the apparatus and method for aligningone end of a fiber sample is schematically represented in FIGS. 4A-1,4B-1, 4C-1 and 4D-1. The sequence begins after the fiber sample 43 hasbeen placed manually atop the array 12 of fiber combs 17. The jaws ofthe gripper comb 26 are opened. The control unit 24 is programmed tocontrol the motor or other power device that drives the movement of thejaws of the gripper comb 26.

As schematically shown in FIG. 4A-1, the gripper comb 26 having its jawsopen is moved in the direction of arrow 33 that is towards the fiberassembly 43. The open jaws of the gripper comb 26 are moved toward thefiber assembly 43 by operation of the first drive unit driven by themotor under the control of the control unit. This initial movement ofthe gripper comb 26 continues until the control unit determines that apredetermined linear distance from the first comb 21 of the array 12 offiber combs has been attained. This predetermined distance is selectedso that at least some of the protruding ends (indicated schematically bythe oval designated by the numeral 44 in FIG. 4A-1) of the fibers in thesample will project into the jaws of the gripper comb 26. The controlunit limits the approach of the gripper comb 26 to the first fiber comb21 in the array 12 to this predetermined first distance.

The sequence next involves closing the jaws of the gripper comb 26 tohold the fibers projecting into the jaws of the gripper comb 26. Asschematically shown in FIG. 4B-1, the control unit operates the grippercomb 26 to close its jaws so as to grip the ends 44 of the fibers thatproject into the jaws of the gripper. Closure of the jaws of the grippercomb 26 in this manner grips the fibers between the jaws of the grippercomb 26. In one alternative embodiment, the control unit operates themotor in the direction that drives the gear to move the jaws toward eachother until they meet sufficient resistance that the jaws are consideredto be in a closed condition. A pressure transducer (not shown) canprovide this information by generating appropriate signals that arecommunicated to the control unit 24.

As schematically shown in FIG. 4C-1, the closed jaws of the gripper comb26 are moved away from the fiber assembly. The control unit operates thefirst drive unit to retract the gripper in a linear but oppositedirection 34 away from the fiber assembly 43. As the gripper comb 26retracts, some fibers 45 are pulled from the fiber assembly 43 supportedatop the array 12 of combs. In one embodiment shown schematically inFIG. 1 for example, the motor 31 under the control of the control unit24 drives operation of the first drive unit 28. The control unit isprogrammed to move the gripper 26 until the gripper is disposed to apredetermined location. That location must be sufficiently distant fromthe first comb 21 in the array 12 of fiber combs so that suction offibers 45 from the gripper 26 will not vacuum fibers from the fiberassembly 43 remaining on the array 12 of fiber combs 17.

The fibers that have been pulled from the fiber assembly 43 must beremoved from the gripper comb 26. The control unit 24 configures thecollection device 26 to release the fibers 45 that have been pulled fromthe fiber assembly 43 carried by the array of fiber combs. In onealternative embodiment, the control unit operates the motor in thedirection that drives the gear to move the jaws away from each otheruntil they separate a predetermined distance such that the jaws areconsidered to be in an opened condition. By opening the jaws of thegripper comb 26 in this manner, the fibers 45 projecting into the jawsof the gripper comb 26 are released.

As schematically shown in FIG. 4D-1, the fibers that have been removedfrom the fiber assembly and released from the gripper 26 are discardedby being suctioned away from the gripper comb 26. In one embodimentshown in FIG. 1, the control unit 24 operates the motor that powers thevacuum 37 with the effect of suctioning away the released fibers fromthe jaws of the gripper comb 26. The released fibers are thus removed bysuction to a waste chamber 38 via the intake of the suction hose 36 thatleads to the waste chamber carried 38 in a cabinet 14 beneath theplatform 13.

The process also requires determining whether the end-aligned conditionof the assembly of fibers remaining atop the array of fiber combs hasbeen produced. In the embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 4E-n, thisdetermination can be made by scanning the edge of the fiber assembly 43by optical methods. The edge of the fiber assembly 43 is formed by thefree ends 39 of the fibers that remain part of the fiber assembly 43.These free ends 39 extend beyond the first comb 21 toward the gripper26. The control unit 24 activates the light source 41 to project thelight beam to the light sensor 40. The light sensor 40 generates signalsproportional to the degree of attenuation of the light beam andtransmits these signals to the control unit 24. At a predetermineddegree of attenuation of the light beam, the signal that is generated bythe light sensor 40 is interpreted by the control unit 24 as indicatingthat the free ends 39 of the fibers supported by the first comb 21 arein an end-aligned condition. However, failing to receive such a signalfrom the light sensor, the control unit is programmed to interpret theresult as indicating that the end-aligned condition has not beenachieved.

By calibrating the apparatus with different types of fiber assemblies,it is also possible to pre-set the number of times the gripper comb 26has to act on the fiber assembly 43 in order to attain an end-alignedcondition.

As noted above, the order of the suctioning step and the step ofdetermining whether the end-aligned condition has been attained in thefibers that remain on the array 12 of fiber combs 17 can be reversed orcan occur at the same time. Similarly, the step of determining whetherthe end-aligned condition has been attained in the fibers that remain onthe array 12 of fiber combs 17 can begin to occur before the step ofmoving the gripper comb 26 away from the array 12 of fiber combs 17 iscompleted.

Upon determining the absence of the end-aligned condition, the controlunit 24 is programmed to restart the entire sequence whereby the gripper26 makes a closer approach to the front fiber comb 21 than in theimmediately preceding trip. This second operation of the sequence isschematically represented by FIGS. 4A-2, 4B-2, 4C-2 and 4D-2. Asschematically shown in FIG. 4A-2, the control unit thus activates themotor to operate the first drive unit in the direction 33 that moves theopen jaws of the gripper comb 26 toward the fiber assembly 43. Asschematically shown in FIG. 4B-2, once the gripper comb 26 is disposedat a second distance from the front fiber comb 21 that is less than thedistance that was attained in the immediately preceding trip, at leastsome of the remaining fibers of the fiber assembly 43 project into thejaws of the gripper comb 26. Once the gripper comb 26 is disposed atthis second distance, the control unit operates the jaws of the grippercomb 26 to close and grip onto the fibers that project into the jaws. Asschematically shown in FIG. 4C-2, the closed jaws of the gripper comb 26are moved in a direction 34 away from the fiber assembly 43. As thegripper comb 26 retracts, some fibers 45 are pulled from the fiberassembly 43 supported atop the array 12 of combs. The jaws of thegripper comb 26 are opened to release the fibers 45 that have beenremoved from the fiber assembly 43. As schematically shown in FIG. 4D-2,the fibers that have been removed from the fiber assembly and releasedfrom the gripper have been suctioned away from the gripper comb 26. Asschematically shown in FIG. 4E-n, the control unit 24 then operates thedetection device to determine whether the end-aligned condition of thefiber assembly 4 has been attained.

If the end-aligned condition of the fiber assembly has not beenattained, then the sequence is repeated until with the nth repetition,the end-aligned condition has been attained. This successive repetitionof the sequence of operations of the apparatus and method for preparingan end-aligned fiber sample for “n” times is schematically representedby FIGS. 4A-n, 4B-n, 4C-n, 4D-n and 4E-n.

Once it is determined that the end-aligned condition of the fiberassembly supported atop the array of fiber combs has been attained, thenthe end-aligned sample is ready for collection by the gripper comb 26.As embodied herein and schematically shown in FIGS. 3B and 5A forexample, the first fiber comb 21 in the array of fiber combs is removedto permit easier access of the jaws of the gripper comb 26 to firmlygrip the end-aligned ends of the fiber sample 46. As embodied herein,the control unit 24 is preprogrammed to vertically lower the first comb21 beneath the height of the second comb 22. Once this forward-most comb21 in the array 12 of needles 18 is lowered, the control unit can movethe open jaws of gripper 26 to assume the position shown in FIG. 5B. Asshown schematically in FIG. 5B for example, then the control unit canclose the jaws of the gripper 26 onto the end aligned fiber sample 46.At this stage, the gripper comb 26 grips the end-aligned edge of theend-aligned fiber tuft 46 and thus collects a sample beard for testing.

Once the gripper 26 collects the end-aligned sample 46 from the needlearray, the control unit can move the gripper 26 away from the array 12of fiber combs as shown schematically in FIG. 5C. As shown schematicallyin FIG. 1 for example, after this sample collection, the gripper comb 26moves the end-aligned fiber sample 46 towards a first testing station50. The movement of the gripper comb 26 towards the testing station 50proceeds in a direction that is perpendicular to the movement towardsthe needle array 12 but can be in the same plane. As shown schematicallyin FIG. 1 for example, this movement to the first testing station 50 canbe accomplished desirably by a second drive unit 48 that is configuredand disposed to move linearly in a direction that is perpendicular tothe direction along which the first drive unit 28 moves. The seconddrive unit 48 can be connected to the first drive unit 28. As shownschematically in FIG. 1 for example, the control unit 24 activates thesecond drive unit 48 so that the first drive unit 28 and the grippercomb 26 move linearly towards the testing station 50 until the seconddrive unit 48 takes up the position of the dashed line outline of thesecond drive unit 48. The gripper comb 26 reaches the testing station 50when the second drive unit takes up the position of the dashed lineoutline of the second carriage 48 shown in FIG. 1.

The movement of the gripper comb 26 from the fiber comb array 12 to thetesting station 50 could be effected in many ways other than the onementioned, depending on the construction and depending on location ofthe testing station 50 relative to the needle array 12. It is possibleto have a movable testing station 50 wherein after the sample iscollected and oriented towards the testing station 50, the testingstation 50 moves to a position near the sample in a way convenient tostart the testing process. Alternatively, as described hereafter inconnection with multi-gripper embodiments, a pick and place mechanismand a guideway can be employed to transfer to the first testing station50, the first carriage 29 with or without the first drive unit 28.

When the gripper comb 26 reaches the testing station 50, as shownschematically in FIG. 5D for example, then the control unit can presentthe end-aligned sample 46 for testing. The operation of the apparatusfor aligning one end of a fiber sample before testing, can be part of alarger overall apparatus and/or method of testing a fiber sample takenfrom a supply of fibers. In the instance of the use of the presentinvention, the fiber sample to be tested in such a larger overall methoddesirably will have an end-aligned condition before certain aspects ofthe testing are performed.

If the testing station 50 is one that is configured for measurement ofthe length characteristics, then the testing station 50 can comprise anoptical device such as an LED array source and array receiver located oneither side of a slotted opening 51 as schematically shown in FIGS. 1and 8. Such a device can be used to determine the proportion of shortfibers in the sample 46. As shown schematically in FIG. 1 for example,when the testing station 50 and the end-aligned sample are ready fortesting the length of the fibers, the sample beard is gradually movedinside the slotted opening 51 of the testing module 50 with the freeends moving in first. The control unit 24 can effect such movement byactivating the first drive unit 28 for example. When the sample movesinside the slotted opening 51, the light beam from the LED source 52 isinterrupted resulting in a variation in the amount of light received bythe receiver 53. The extreme free end of the sample beard contains onlythe longest fiber held by the gripper 26. As the beard is successivelyscanned with each incremental displacement deeper into the slottedopening 51, the number of fibers interrupting the light graduallyincreases. The interruption thus gradually increases to reach a maximumat a point close to the gripping point. A suction device 49 is providedfor removing the tested fiber beard, if desired, and transporting thethus discarded fibers to the waste chamber 38 via a hollow waste tube35.

The signal obtained with the above method is similar to that shown inFIG. 6. For ease of explanation, it was mentioned in the earlierparagraph that the amount of interruption is in proportion to the numberof fibers. This is possible only when all the fibers being scanned areof uniform diameter. In a practical situation, all fibers do not havethe same diameter, and therefore the amount of interruption of light isproportional to only the optical mass of fibers at any given instant.The diagram thus generated and shown in FIG. 6 is therefore proportionalto the “length by weight.” In the textile industry, in addition to the“length by weight,” “length by number” is also widely used. Conversionfrom the length-by-weight to length-by-number (FIG. 7) is achievedeasily if a constant diameter or linear density is assumed.

In an alternative embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 4E-n forexample, it is also conceivable to have an instrument where the comb isinitially placed in such a way that the gripper 26 is closest to thelight source 41 at the initial point. For example, until the end-alignedfiber sample 46 is produced, the optical detection device 40 that isused by the control unit 24 to sense when the ends of the fibers haveattained the end-aligned condition can be used to perform a lengthmeasurement for the fibers in the end-aligned sample. With such amethod, the gripper comb 26 is moved in such a way that the grippingpoint moves successively farther and farther a short distance from thelight path. In such a situation, the amount of interruption in the light(optical mass) gradually decreases from start to finish of the gripper'smovement. The control unit 24 can accomplish this process by activatingthe first drive unit 28 in successive short movements away from thearray 12 of fiber combs. After each short movement of a predetermineddistance from the array 12 of fiber combs 17, the control unit 24activates the light source 41 and receives a signal from the lightdetector 40. As explained above, the optical sensor is disposed at a setdistance relative to the front of the array 12 of fiber combs 17. Thecontrol unit 24 is programmed to interpret this signal as indicative ofthe number of fibers that interrupt and attenuate the light beam whenthe gripper comb 26 is disposed at a known distance from the array 12 offiber combs. This number of fibers must have a length that is at leastequal to that separation distance.

A desirable alternative embodiment of the mechanism for preparation andtransport of the end-aligned fiber sample includes an apparatus foraligning at substantially the same time, one end of each of at least twofiber samples before testing. In this multi-sample apparatus, each ofthe received samples includes an assembly of elongated fibers disposedside-by-side and arranged with the lengths of the individual fibersextending in a direction that is generally parallel to each other. Suchan apparatus is illustrated schematically in FIG. 8 and is configured toalign at substantially the same time, one end of each of four fibersamples 43 before processing and/or testing. As will become apparentupon reading the description below, the number of fiber samples 43 thatcan be end-aligned at substantially the same time in the multi-sample,end-aligning apparatus can be varied by changing the sizes of variouscomponents of the apparatus.

As embodied herein and shown schematically in FIG. 8 for example, themulti-sample, end-aligning apparatus includes an extended needle array112 that is long enough to support a number of discrete, non-end-alignedsamples 43 (each sample 43 as shown schematically in FIG. 2A forexample) arranged side-by-side. Extended needle array 112 is configuredsubstantially as fiber comb array 12 shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, 3B, 5A and 5Bfor example, except that extended needle array 112 is longer across thefront than fiber comb array 12. The increased length of extended needlearray 112 serves to accommodate the simultaneous preparation of multiplefiber samples 43 into the desired end-aligned condition.

As embodied herein and shown schematically in FIGS. 8-14 for example,the multi-sample, end-aligning apparatus includes a multi-stage grippercomb 140 that has at least a first gripper comb 126 a and a secondgripper comb 126 b disposed adjacent the first gripper comb 126 a. Theindividual gripper combs 126 a, 126 b are connected together to move inunison. In the embodiment shown, the multi-stage gripper comb 140includes four individual gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 darranged side-by-side. A third gripper comb 126 c is disposed adjacentthe second gripper comb 126 b, and a fourth gripper comb 126 d isdisposed adjacent the third gripper comb 126 c. All four gripper combs126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d are connected together to move in unisonas a multi-stage gripper comb 140. Each individual gripper comb 126 a,126 b, 126 c, 126 d operates substantially as gripper comb 26 describedabove and shown in FIG. 1 for example.

As schematically shown in FIG. 9 for example, each individual grippercomb 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d is fitted with a respective base 155 a,155 b, 155 c, 155 d in is the form of a sleeve that is slidably mountedto one portion of a separate respective pedestal 145 a, 145 b, 145 c,145 d. The interior configuration of each base 155 and thecomplementarily-shaped one portion of each respective pedestal 145together form a sliding dove-tail arrangement that permits relativesliding movement in the directions indicated by the arrows 134 and 135in FIG. 8. An opposite portion of each pedestal 145 is fixed to theupper side of a first carriage 156 that defines a platform forsupporting and carrying a plurality of individual gripper combs 126.Thus, a multi-stage gripper comb 140 comprises the individual grippercombs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d, their respective bases 155 a, 155b, 155 c, 155 d and pedestals 145 a, 145 b, 145 c, 145 d and the firstcarriage 156.

Moreover, the base 155 and corresponding pedestal 145 of each individualgripper comb 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d is provided with a mechanism(not shown) that selectively locks and unlocks the gripper comb 126against sliding movement of the base 155 relative to its respectivepedestal 145 in the directions indicated by the arrows 134 and 135 inFIG. 8. The selective locking and unlocking of each base 155 to itsrespective pedestal 145 is desirably under the control of the controlunit 24.

As schematically shown in FIG. 9 for example, the underside of the firstcarriage 156 is selectively attachable and detachable to a support 157.The support 157 and the first carriage 156 are provided with a mechanism(not shown) that selectively locks and unlocks the support 157 to thefirst carriage 156. The selective locking and unlocking of the support157 to the first carriage 156 is desirably under the control of thecontrol unit 24.

As schematically shown in FIG. 9, support 157 is desirably configured inthe form of a sleeve that is slidably mounted to one portion of apedestal 147 that forms part of a first drive unit 128 a that isoperated under the control of the control unit 24. The interiorconfiguration of each support 157 and the complementarily-shaped oneportion of the pedestal 147 together form a sliding dove-tailarrangement that permits relative sliding movement in the directionsindicated by the arrows 134 and 135 in FIG. 8. The first drive unit 128a functions under the control of the control unit 24 to power themovement of the multi-stage gripper comb 140 in the directions indicatedby the arrows 134 and 135 in FIG. 8 in substantially the same manner asthe coordinated operation of control unit 24 with first carriage 28 andmotor 31 shown in FIG. 1.

As embodied herein and shown schematically in FIG. 8 for example, eachof the individual gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d inmulti-stage gripper comb 140 is aligned in front of its own respectiveindividual non-end-aligned sample 43. The individual gripper combs 126a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d are aligned side-by-side in a row on firstcarriage 156. In this way, multi-stage gripper comb 140 can be made toapproach and recede, selectively, under control of the control unit 24,to and from the extended needle array 112. The multi-stage gripper comb140 is engaged by a first drive 128 a that is configured to move theentire row of gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d simultaneouslywith respect to the extended needle array 112 under the control of thecontrol unit 24. The first carriage 156 carries the entire row ofgripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d in the linear directions of thearrows designated by the numerals 134 and 135 in FIG. 8. While there isa row of four gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d alignedside-by-side in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, that number can bevaried to accommodate extended needle arrays 112 of commensuratedimensions.

In this way, these individual gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 dare moved simultaneously by the first drive unit 128 a and firstcarriage 156 with respect to the needle array 112 for simultaneouspreparation of each of the end-aligned fiber samples 46 in the samemanner described in detail for the single gripper comb 26 shown inFIG. 1. However, the detection of four end-aligned fiber samples 46 willnot be accomplished until each of the non-end-aligned fiber samples 43(all four in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8) has attained the desiredend-aligned condition that is shown for the end-aligned samples 46 inFIGS. 2B and 10 for example.

After the preparation of the end-aligned samples 46 is complete, thenthe multi-stage gripper comb 140 simultaneously removes all of theend-aligned samples 46 from the needle array 112 and retracts from array112 as shown schematically in FIG. 10 for example. Each individualgripper comb 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d will grip the end-aligned edgesof its respective end-aligned sample 46, and then the control unit 24will cause the first drive unit 128 a to move the first carriage 156 inthe direction of arrow 135 in FIG. 10. Then the multi-stage gripper comb140 must be acquired by the holder of a first pick and place mechanism.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 8, 10, 11 and 15 for example, a firstguideway 129 a is configured and disposed to map the desired movement ofthe multi-stage gripper comb 140 between the extended needle array 112and a first testing unit 150. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 15 for example,first guideway 129 a can be elevated above first carriage 128 a andextended needle array 112 by being connected on each opposite end to theelevated end of a vertically extending stanchion 141 a, 141 b. Extendedneedle array 112 and a first testing station 150 are disposed betweenfirst stanchion 141 a and second stanchion 141 b. First stanchion 141 ais disposed nearer to extended needle array 112. Second stanchion 141 bis disposed nearer to first testing station 150.

As shown schematically in FIG. 11 for example, a first trolley 151 aengages and is carried by the first guideway 129 a. The first trolley151 a is mobile with respect to the first guideway 129 a and desirablyis pneumatically powered for movement back and forth in the directionsindicated by the arrows designated 131 a in FIG. 11. Movement of thefirst trolley 151 a desirably is under the control of the control unit24.

As embodied herein and shown schematically in FIGS. 10 and 11 forexample, a suitable first pick and place mechanism 127 a can be providedto be carried along a suitably disposed and configured first guideway129 a. As embodied herein and shown schematically in FIG. 11 forexample, one end of first pick and place mechanism 127 a is connected tothe first trolley 151. The opposite end of first pick and placemechanism 127 a is configured as a first holder 153. First holder 153desirably can be provided with a pair of opposed arms 153 a, 153 b. Thedistance between the free ends of the opposed arms 153 a, 153 bgradually increases as one moves from the arm's free end toward the endof the first pick and place mechanism 127 a that is connected to thefirst trolley 151 a. As shown in FIG. 11, the widest expanse between theopposed arms 153 a, 153 b of the first holder 153 is defined betweenrespective opposed upper inwardly-facing surfaces 93 a, 93 b of the arms153 a, 153 b.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first pick and place mechanism 127 a caninclude a first telescoping member 152 a that selectively elongates andcontracts in the direction of opposed arrows 154. The telescoping actionof the first pick and place mechanism 127 a changes the height of thefirst holder 153 relative to the first guideway 129 a and the extendedneedle array 112. Desirably, the first telescoping member 152 a can bepowered by a dual-action pneumatic cylinder connected to a pressurizedpneumatic source via electrically actuated valves (not separatelyillustrated) that are operated according to the instructions of controlunit 24. Suitable devices for functioning as pick and place mechanismsin accordance with the present invention can be obtained from Festo AGand Co., Esslingen, Germany.

When multi-stage gripper comb 140 has collected the multiple end-alignedfiber samples and is disposed in front of needle array 112 as shown inFIG. 10 for example, first pick and place mechanism 127 a acquiresmulti-stage gripper comb 140 in the following manner. Control unit 24causes first trolley 151 a to move toward first stanchion 141 a untilthe opening that is defined between the opposed arms 153 a, 153 b offirst holder 153 is centered about the opposite ends of multi-stagegripper comb 140. Control unit 24 activates telescoping member 152 a soas to adjust the vertical height of first holder 153 so that the maximumopening distance between the arms of holder 153 is precisely located atthe same height as the opposite edges of multi-stage gripper comb 140.In this condition, the upper surfaces 93 a, 93 b of the arms 153 a, 153b will be at the same height as the opposite side edges of themulti-stage gripper comb 140. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, uppersurface 93 a will be at the same height as the exposed side edge 156 a(FIG. 9) of first carriage 156 (near gripper comb 126 d), and uppersurface 93 b will be at the same height as the exposed side edge 156 b(FIG. 9) of first carriage 156 (near gripper comb 126 a).

Control unit 24 then operates first drive 128 a to move multi-stagegripper comb 140 within the confines of the opposite arms 153 a, 153 bof first holder 153. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, upper surface93 a will be facing the exposed side edge 156 a (FIG. 9) of firstcarriage 156, and upper surface 93 b will be facing the exposed sideedge 156 b (FIG. 9) of first carriage 156. The control unit 24 thencauses the locking mechanism to release first carriage 156 from support157. Then control unit 24 controls the first pick and place mechanism127 a to retract first telescoping member 152 a toward first trolley 151a. This retraction raises first holder 153 until the opposed arms 153 a,153 b of first holder 153 engage the opposite side edges 156 a, 156 b ofmulti-stage gripper comb 140. At this stage of the process, first pickand place mechanism 127 a has acquired multi-stage gripper comb 140.

The control unit 24 can continue to operate first telescoping member 152a to retract toward first trolley 151 a and thereby cause first pick andplace mechanism 127 a to lift first holder 153 to a predetermined heightabove support 157 that will enable first holder 153 to clear anyobstacles disposed between needle array 112 and the first testingstation 150. The multi-stage gripper comb 140 that is captured betweenthe arms 153 a, 153 b of the first holder 153 also will be lifted bythis movement of the first holder. It is at this point that first pickand place mechanism 127 a is ready to translate multi-stage gripper comb140 in the direction of arrow 131 in FIG. 10 to the first testingstation 150. Control unit 24 then causes first trolley 151 a to movealong first guideway 129 a toward second stanchion 141 b where the firsttesting station 150 is disposed.

In an alternative embodiment, the first drive 128 a and the multi-stagegripper comb 140 can be left connected as a unit that is moved by thefirst pick and place mechanism 127 a.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 10-12, a second drive unit 128 b isdisposed in front of the first testing station 150, and a third driveunit 130 is disposed to one side of the first testing unit 150. As shownin FIG. 12, a second carriage 158 is positioned in front of the firsttesting station 150 and has one side connected to the third drive unit130. When the first multi-stage gripper comb 140 arrives at the firsttesting station 150 as schematically shown in FIG. 10, the control unit24 causes the first trolley 151 a to stop. Then the control unit 24controls the release of the first multi-stage gripper comb 140 from thefirst pick and place mechanism 127 a in a sequence that is essentiallythe opposite of the acquisition sequence.

The control unit 24 causes the first pick and place mechanism 127 a tolower the multi-stage gripper comb 140 onto the second carriage 158 andcauses a locking mechanism (not shown) to lock the first carriage 156 tothe upper edge of the second carriage 158. The control unit 24 thencauses the first pick and place mechanism 127 a to lower the holder 153until its upper surfaces 93 a, 93 b are opposed to the side edges 156 a,156 b of the first carriage 156. The control unit 24 then operates thesecond drive unit 128 b to move the multi-stage gripper comb 140 in thedirection of arrow 137 in FIG. 10. This movement causes the multi-stagegripper comb 140 to be slid out from between the opposed upper surfaces93 a, 93 b of the arms 153 a, 153 b of the first holder 153. At thispoint, the first pick and place mechanism 127 a has released themulti-stage gripper comb 140 in front of the first testing station asshown in FIG. 10 for example.

As shown schematically in FIG. 11 for example, the control unit 24causes the first trolley 151 a to move back toward the first stanchion141 a and the extended needle array 112. In this way, first pick andplace mechanism 127 a can be prepared for acquiring and moving anothermulti-stage gripper comb 140 with a new batch of end-aligned fibersamples.

Upon being installed at the first testing station 150, the control unit24 can cause the individual gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d ofthe multi-stage gripper comb 140 to be moved selectively along each oftwo orthogonal axes relative to the testing station 150. In FIG. 12, oneof these axes extends into and out of this drawing. This is the axis ofmovement that applies to the separate movements of each of theindividual gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d and is the samedirection that is indicated by the arrows that are designated by thenumerals 136 and 137 in FIG. 10. The control unit 24 also can operatethe third drive unit 130 to move the multi-stage gripper comb 140 alongthe other of the two orthogonal axes relative to the testing station150. This other orthogonal axis is indicated by the arrows that aredesignated by the numeral 131 in FIG. 12 for example.

As shown schematically in FIG. 10 for example, second drive 128 bdefines its own central axis 139 b and is configured to translate eachindividual gripper comb 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d selectively towardand away from the testing station 150 by a predetermined distance underthe instructions of the control unit 24. As shown in FIG. 10 forexample, each individual gripper comb 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d ofthe multi-stage gripper comb 140 is denoted by a central axis 138 a, 138b, 138 c and 138 d, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12 for example, thecontrol unit 24 (not shown in FIG. 12) causes the third drive 130 tomove the second carriage 158 in the direction indicated by arrow 131.Since second carriage 158 is attached to multi-stage gripper comb 140,it also moves in the direction indicated by arrow 131 such that thefirst gripper comb 126 a is moved into position to use the testingstation 150. This condition of readiness to use the testing station 150is schematically indicated in FIG. 10 by the coincident alignment of thecentral axis 138 a of the first gripper comb 126 a with the central axis139 b of the second drive 128 b.

Once the readiness condition has been attained by the first gripper comb126 a, then the control unit 24 causes the locking mechanism to unlockthe base 155 a from the pedestal 145 a. Then the control unit 24instructs the second drive unit 128 b to move only the first grippercomb 126 a along tracks (not shown), towards the testing station 150 inthe direction indicated by the arrow designated by the numeral 136 inFIG. 10 for measurement of the various characteristics of theend-aligned sample 46. Accordingly, the multi-stage gripper comb 140 isconfigured so that by sliding one of the individual gripper combs 126along its central axis 138, that individual gripper comb 126 will becomemisaligned with the remaining aligned individual gripper combs in themulti-stage gripper comb 140.

After the completion of the testing for the first individual grippercomb 126 a as described above in relation to FIG. 1 for example, thecontrol unit 24 causes the second drive 128 b to move the single grippercomb (e.g., 126 a) along tracks (not shown), away from the testingstation 150 in the direction indicated by the arrow designated by thenumeral 137 (FIG. 10) until the individual gripper comb (e.g., 126 a) isrealigned with the other gripper combs (e.g., 126 b, 126 c, 126 d) inthe set that forms the multi-stage gripper comb 140. The control unit 24then causes the locking mechanism to lock the first base 155 a to thefirst pedestal 145 a.

The control unit 24 then causes the third drive 130 to move themulti-stage gripper comb 140 in the direction of arrow 131 in FIG. 10 bya sufficient distance such that the second gripper comb 126 b is movedinto position to use the testing station 150. The condition of readinessto use the testing station will occur when the central axis 138 b of thesecond gripper comb 126 b becomes aligned with the central axis 139 b ofthe second drive 128 b. Once the readiness condition has been attainedby the second individual gripper comb 126 b, then the control unit 24causes the locking mechanism to unlock the base 155 b from the pedestal145 b. The control unit 24 then instructs the second drive 128 b to movethe second gripper comb 126 b in the direction indicated by the arrowdesignated by the numeral 136 towards the testing station 150 fortesting of the end-aligned sample 46 that is carried by the secondgripper comb 126 b.

The foregoing process desirably can be repeated until all the grippercombs 126 within the set comprising the multi-stage gripper comb 140have presented their end-aligned samples 46 to be tested. Depending onthe nature of the first testing station 150, the individual grippercombs 126 in the multi-stage gripper comb 140 may still contain theend-aligned samples 46 or the individual gripper combs 126 may have beenemptied of the end-aligned samples 46 as a result of the testing thatwas performed at the first testing station 150. Upon completion of theprocess at the first testing station 150, then the multi-stage grippercomb 140 comprising the complete set of gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126c, 126 d can be removed to a second testing station or temporarily to achange over station. As shown schematically in FIGS. 13-15, this secondtesting station or a change over station can be disposed near a thirdstanchion 141 c.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 8, 10 and 14, different pick and placemechanisms 127 a, 127 b and 127 c can be carried by different sectionsof guideways 129 a, 129 b, 129 c that can be oriented to extend indifferent linear directions. The different linear directions of thesedifferent sections of guideways 129 a, 129 b, and 129 c are indicatedrespectively in FIG. 10 by the arrows designated by the numerals 131,132 and 133. Moreover, these differently directed sections of guideways129 a, 129 b, 129 c can be connected at nodes where the direction of thelinear run of the guideways 129 changes from one direction such as thedirection that is indicated by the arrow designated by the numeral 131in FIG. 10 to another direction such as the direction that is indicatedby the arrow designated by the numeral 132. At each of these nodes, theguideways 129 can be connected to a common upright stanchion 141 a, 141b, 141 c such as shown schematically in FIG. 15 for example.

As schematically shown in FIG. 13, the set 140 of gripper combs 126 a,126 b, 126 c, 126 d can be acquired by the second holder 163 of thesecond pick and place mechanism 127 b from in front of the first testingstation 150. To effect this acquisition, the control unit 24 willprovide instructions to the second trolley 151 b, the second telescopingmember 152 b, the second drive unit 128 b and the third drive unit 130that essentially reverse the order of steps that were carried out by thefirst pick and place mechanism 127 a to install the multi-stage grippercomb 140 onto the second carriage 158, but instructing the second pickand place mechanism 127 b instead of the first pick and place mechanism127 a.

Once the multi-stage gripper comb 140 has been acquired by the secondholder 163 of the second pick and place mechanism 127 b, then thecontrol unit 24 instructs the second trolley 151 b to move the secondpick and place mechanism 127 b from in front of the first testingstation 150 to a change over station near a third stanchion 141 c. Thecontrol unit 24 can cause the second pick and place mechanism 127 b topark the first set 140 of multiple gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c,126 d at the change over station that exists at this node at the thirdstanchion 141 c. Though not shown in FIG. 13, another drive unit 128with associated pedestal 147 and support 157 similar to what is shown inFIG. 9 can be disposed at the third stanchion 141 c to receive the firstmulti-stage gripper comb 140 from the second pick and place mechanism127 b.

The control unit 24 can effect the parking of the multi-stage grippercomb 140 at the third stanchion 141 c by providing instructions to thesecond trolley 151 b, the second telescoping member 152 b, and the driveunit (not shown but similar to first drive unit 128 a) at the thirdstanchion 141 c, that essentially reverses the order of steps that werecarried out by the first pick and place mechanism 127 a to acquire themulti-stage gripper comb 140 from the first drive unit 128 a, butinstructing the second pick and place mechanism 127 b instead of thefirst pick and place mechanism 127 a.

As schematically shown in FIG. 14, the set of gripper combs 126 a, 126b, 126 c, 126 d can be acquired by the holder 173 of the third pick andplace mechanism 127 c and moved from the change over station at thethird stanchion 141 c to the extended needle array 112 at the firststanchion 141 a. The acquisition steps are similar to the priordescription of the acquisition performed by the first pick and placemechanism 127 a from the first drive unit 128 a in front of the extendedneedle array 112. Once the acquisition of the multi-stage gripper comb140 is accomplished by the third pick and place mechanism 127 c, thecontrol unit 24 then causes the third trolley 151 c to move the thirdpick and place mechanism 127 c to the first drive unit 128 a in front ofthe extended needle array 112.

Then the control unit 24 instructs the third pick and place mechanism127 c to transfer the first set 140 of gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126c, 126 d to the support 157 (shown in FIG. 9) of the first drive unit128 a by essentially following the reverse order of the steps describedabove for acquisition of the multi-stage gripper comb 140 by the firstpick and place mechanism 127 a. Once the multi-stage gripper comb 140 istransferred into this position in front of the needle array 112 by thethird pick and place mechanism 127 c, then the control unit 24 can causethe third telescoping member 152 c (FIG. 14) to lower the first carriage156 onto the support 157 (FIG. 9). The control unit 24 then causes thelocking mechanism to lock the first carriage 156 to the support 157. Thefirst carriage 156 is thereby held at a fixed height while the controlunit 24 causes the third telescoping member 152 c to lower the thirdholder 173 until the multi-stage gripper comb 140 is released from thethird pick and place mechanism 127 c. The control unit 24 then instructsthe third trolley 151 c to move away from the first stanchion 141 a andtoward the third stanchion 141 c.

The control unit 24 then instructs the first drive unit 128 a to movethe set of gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d to perform theprocess described above so as to transform a new set of non-end-alignedsamples 43 into a new set of end-aligned samples 46.

As shown schematically in FIG. 8, a separate multi-stage gripper comb140, 240, 340 is desirably provided for each node in the system. In thisway, when a first set 140 of gripper combs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, 126 d isin the process of preparing end-aligned samples 46, a second set 240 ofgripper combs 226 a, 226 b, 226 c, 226 d can be disposed to present theend-aligned samples for testing by a testing station 150. Still a thirdset 340 of empty gripper combs 326 a, 326 b, 326 c, 326 d can bedisposed to wait at a change over station that is provided along theroute mapped out by the guideways 129 that carry the pick and placemechanisms 127. When the preparation of end-aligned samples 46 in thefirst multi-stage gripper comb 140 is complete, then the control unit 24can be programmed to move the first set 140 of gripper combs 126 a, 126b, 126 c, 126 d to the testing station 150 and the second multi-stagegripper comb 240 to the change over station, while yet a third set 340of empty gripper combs 326 a, 326 b, 326 c, 326 d is moved from thechange over station to the extended needle array 112 for preparation ofend-aligned fiber samples 46. In this way, each separate set of multiplegripper combs 126, 226, 326 occupies a different node or section of theguideways 129 that are served by the respective pick and placemechanisms 127, and a more efficient use of the system's resources iseffected.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that the same or similar system ofguideways 129 and pick and place mechanisms 127 can be used to effectautomatic movement of the single gripper comb 26 embodiments, oneexample of a single gripper comb 26 embodiment being shown schematicallyin FIG. 1 for example.

Before placement of the fiber material on the array 12 (or extendedarray 112) of needles 18 to provide the starting fiber assembly 43 forpreparation of the end-aligned fiber sample 46, a separate device suchas a sliver unit 56 may be employed to prepare the fibrous material intothe starting fiber assembly 43 of fibers aligned side-by-side in aparallel fashion. As shown schematically in FIG. 1 for example, a sliverunit 56 as shown in FIG. 16 and explained below can be provided. Thissort of a sample preparation may be necessary only in the case ofunopened fiber material and can be used as an optional device.

In a presently preferred arrangement shown schematically in FIG. 16 forexample, this sliver preparation unit 56 desirably includes anaeromechanical individualizer, which produces a sliver from which can beextracted fiber assemblies 43. Each extracted fiber assembly 43 that isextracted from the sliver is composed of fibers that are bothindividualized and oriented with their lengths parallel to each other.In the embodiment shown, the aeromechanical individualizer includes aset of roller pairs 74. The different roller pairs 74 rotate a belt 87at progressively increased speed to perform a drafting action thatbegins the process of rendering the fibers with their lengths parallelto each other. This fiber assembly 43 is thus “parallelized” and canthen be placed manually on the array 12 of needles 18 held in combs 17.

As shown in FIG. 16, the individualizer includes a sequence of rollers75 that are configured to act as a feed cum opening device. Rollers 75operate to thoroughly open and render the fibers (indicatedschematically by the short parallel lines) parallel to each other alongtheir lengths. As schematically shown in FIG. 16, each feed cum openingroller 75 is covered with suitable wires 76 that help to open the fibersand transfer the fibers. A linearly arranged fiber mass 77 is fed tothis arrangement 78 of rollers 74, 75. After this fiber mass 77 isprocessed through this arrangement 78 of rollers 74, 75, the fibers arefed to an air stream 79. A motor provides suction that creates the airstream 79 carrying the fibers. The air carries the fibers through asensing channel in a laterally elongated acceleration/deceleration gasflow nozzle 80 such as a venturi and deposits the fibers in a sliverpreparation device 56.

As embodied herein and shown in FIG. 16 for example, the sliverpreparation device 56 includes a rapidly rotating chamber 81, whichconveniently can be formed in the shape of a cylinder but could be anyshape. The air stream carries the fibers 82 to the outer edges of thechamber 81 where the fibers 82 are deposited and retained. As thechamber 81 is rapidly rotated, the centrifugal force (schematicallyindicated by the outwardly radiating arrows designated by the numeral83) that is generated by this rotation of chamber 81 pushes the fibers82 to the outer edges of chamber 81. The air carrying the fibers 82 isfurther drawn by suction from the chamber 81 through a duct 84 into asuction box 85. The air ultimately passes out of the device 56 throughan outlet 86 from the suction box 85. As the process continues, more andmore fibers 82 are accumulated until a stage is reached when theaccumulated fibers 82 resembles a sliver that is suitable for placementin the array 12 of needles 18 that is formed by the fiber combs 17.

If sliver preparation is not desired, then the chamber 81 is notrotated. In this optional mode of operation, the air stream 79 carriesthe fibers 82 to the suction box 85, where the fibers 82 are retainedwhile the air escapes via the outlet duct 86.

Alternatively, other embodiments of a sliver unit 56 can be provided.One such alternative embodiment of the sliver unit 56 is anotherembodiment of an aeromechanical individualizer suitable forincorporation into this embodiment of the invention. Such anaeromechanical individualizer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,460,which is commonly owned and hereby incorporated herein by thisreference. Another alternative embodiment of the sliver unit 56 includesa set of roller pairs, with the different roller pairs rotating atprogressively increased speed to perform a drafting action and forming aparallelised fiber assembly that then can be placed on the needlearrays. This sort of a sample preparation may be necessary only in thecase of unopened fiber material and is used as an optional device.

While several presently preferred embodiments of the invention have beendescribed using specific terms, such description is for illustrativepurposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variationsmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the followingclaims.

1. A method of processing a fiber sample taken from a supply of fibers,the steps comprising: providing an assembly of elongated fibers disposedside-by-side and arranged with the lengths of the individual fibersextending in a direction that is generally parallel to each other;disposing said fiber assembly atop an array of aligned fiber combsincluding at least a first fiber comb disposed parallel to and in frontof a second fiber comb; moving the open jaws of a gripper comb towardsaid fiber assembly until said gripper comb is disposed at a firstdistance from said first fiber comb and at least some of the fibers ofsaid fiber assembly project into said jaws of said gripper comb; closingsaid jaws of said gripper comb to hold said fibers projecting into saidjaws of said gripper comb; moving said closed jaws of said gripper combaway from said fiber assembly; opening said jaws of said gripper comb torelease said fibers projecting into said jaws of said gripper comb;suctioning away said released fibers from said jaws of said grippercomb; determining whether the fibers remaining atop said array of fibercombs has attained the end-aligned condition; upon determining theabsence of the end-aligned condition, moving the open jaws of thegripper comb toward said fiber assembly until said gripper comb isdisposed at a second distance from said first fiber comb that is lessthan said first distance and at least some of the remaining fibers ofsaid fiber assembly project into said jaws of said gripper comb; closingsaid jaws of said gripper comb to hold said fibers projecting into saidjaws of said gripper comb; moving said closed jaws of said gripper combaway from said fiber assembly; opening said jaws of said gripper comb torelease said fibers projecting into said jaws of said gripper comb;suctioning away said released fibers from said jaws of said grippercomb; determining whether the end-aligned condition of the fibersremaining atop said array of fiber combs has been attained; upondetermining that the end-aligned condition in the fibers remaining atopsaid array of fiber combs has been attained, removing said first fibercomb from said array of fiber combs; moving the open jaws of the grippercomb toward said fiber assembly until said gripper comb is disposed at athird distance from said second fiber comb that permits the ends of theremaining fibers carried by said second fiber comb to project into saidjaws of said gripper comb; and closing said jaws of said gripper comb tohold said fibers projecting into said jaws of said gripper comb, saidfibers projecting into said jaws of said gripper comb composing saidsample of end-aligned fibers.
 2. A method as in claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of: moving said closed jaws of said gripper combwith said sample of end-aligned fibers away from said array of fibercombs; and transferring said end-aligned fiber sample to a testingstation.
 3. A method as in claim 2, further comprising the step of: atthe testing station, determining the short fiber content of theend-aligned fiber sample.
 4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said stepof providing an assembly of elongated fibers disposed side-by-side andarranged with the lengths of the individual fibers extending in adirection that is generally parallel to each other includes: preparing asliver from the supply of fiber from which the sample is to be composed.5. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of providing an assembly ofelongated fibers disposed side-by-side and arranged with the lengths ofthe individual fibers extending in a direction that is generallyparallel to each other includes: using an aeromechanical individualiserto prepare a sliver from the supply of fiber from which the sample is tobe composed.
 6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said step of using anaeromechanical individualiser to prepare a sliver includes: introducingfibers into a rapidly rotating, perforated chamber with a channeldefined around its inner surface and accumulating fibers in said channeluntil said channel contains said sliver.
 7. A method as in claim 1,wherein said step of determining whether the end-aligned condition ofthe fibers remaining atop said array of fiber combs has been attainedincludes: scanning the edges of the remaining fibers in said fiberassembly projecting from said first fiber comb.
 8. A method as in claim7, wherein said step of scanning the edges of the remaining fibers insaid fiber assembly projecting from said first fiber comb includes:using an optical scanner.
 9. A method as in claim 1, further comprisingthe steps of: measuring the proportion of short fibers in saidend-aligned sample by successively moving said gripper comb containingsaid end-aligned fiber sample a predetermined short distance away fromsaid array of fiber combs and using an optical sensor to measure theoptical mass of fibers at said predetermined short distance relative tosaid array of fiber combs.
 10. An apparatus for aligning one end of afiber sample before testing, the sample including an assembly ofelongated fibers disposed side-by-side and arranged with the lengths ofthe individual fibers extending in a direction that is generallyparallel to each other, the apparatus comprising: an array of alignedfiber combs, said array of fiber combs including at least a first fibercomb and a second fiber comb disposed parallel to and behind said firstfiber comb, said array of fiber combs being configured to receive thefiber sample resting with the direction of elongation of the fiberstrands in said sample generally disposed transversely to the paralleldirection of said first and second fiber combs; a gripper comb disposedin front of said first fiber comb, said gripper comb having at least twojaws disposed in opposition to each other and configured to selectivelymove toward and away from each other to selectively close and open,respectively; a first carriage carrying said gripper comb; a first driveunit, said first drive unit being connected to said first carriage andconfigured to translate said first carriage and said gripper combselectively toward and away from said array of fiber combs bypre-selected distances; a suction device disposed to vacuum fibers fromsaid jaws of said gripper comb when said drive unit translates saidgripper comb to a location sufficiently distant from said array of fibercombs so as not to vacuum fibers from said array of fiber combs at thesame time as fibers are being vacuumed from said jaws of said grippercomb; and a detection device, said detection device including a sensordisposed between said first comb and said gripper comb, said detectiondevice being configured to determine whether the end-aligned conditionof the fibers remaining atop said array of fiber combs has beenproduced.
 11. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said detection deviceincludes: a control unit connected to receive signals from said sensorand programmed to interpret signals received from said sensor todetermine whether the end-aligned condition of the fibers remaining atopsaid array of fiber combs has been produced.
 12. An apparatus as inclaim 11, wherein said control unit is connected to said gripper comb,said first drive unit and said suction device and programmed to controloperation of said gripper comb, said first drive unit and said suctiondevice.
 13. An apparatus as in claim 11 further comprising: a framesupporting said array of fiber combs, one end of said first fiber combbeing pivotally mounted with respect to said frame, said first fibercomb defining an elongated slot; and a vertically translatable pistonrod having one end pivotally connected to ride within said slot of saidfirst fiber comb.
 14. An apparatus as in claim 10, further comprising: asecond drive unit carrying said first drive unit, said second drive unitbeing configured to translate said first drive unit, said first carriageand said gripper comb selectively toward and away from said array offiber combs.
 15. An apparatus as in claim 10, further comprising: asupport platform disposed beneath said array of fiber combs, saidgripper comb and said first drive unit.
 16. An apparatus as in claim 15,wherein said suction device comprises a collection chamber disposedbeneath said support platform and configured for collection of fibersvacuumed away from said jaws of said gripper comb.
 17. An apparatus asin claim 15, further comprising: an aeromechanical individualizer forpreparing a fiber sample for reception by said array of fiber combs,said aeromechanical individualizer being connected to said supportplatform.
 18. An apparatus for aligning at substantially the same time,one end of each of at least two fiber samples before testing, each ofthe samples including an assembly of elongated fibers disposedside-by-side and arranged with the lengths of the individual fibersextending in a direction that is generally parallel to each other, theapparatus comprising: an array of aligned fiber combs, said array offiber combs including at least a first fiber comb and a second fibercomb disposed parallel to and behind said first fiber comb, said arrayof fiber combs being configured to receive at least two discrete fibersamples, each fiber sample resting with the direction of elongation ofthe fiber strands in said sample generally disposed transversely to theparallel direction of said first and second fiber combs; at least afirst gripper comb and a second gripper comb disposed adjacent saidfirst gripper comb, said gripper combs being connected to move inunison, each said gripper comb being disposed in front of said firstfiber comb, each said gripper comb having at least two jaws disposed inopposition to each other and configured to selectively move toward andaway from each other to selectively close and open, respectively; and afirst carriage carrying said gripper combs; and a first drive unit, saidfirst drive unit being configured to translate said first carriage andsaid gripper combs together selectively toward and away from said arrayof fiber combs by pre-selected distances.
 19. An apparatus as in claim18, further comprising: a suction device disposed to vacuum fibers fromsaid jaws of said gripper combs when said first drive unit translatessaid gripper combs to a location sufficiently distant from said array offiber combs so as not to vacuum fibers from said array of fiber combs atthe same time as fibers are being vacuumed from said jaws of saidgripper combs.
 20. An apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising: adetection device, said detection device including a sensor disposedbetween said first comb and said gripper combs, said detection devicebeing configured to determine whether the end-aligned condition of thefibers remaining atop said array of fiber combs has been attained. 21.An apparatus as in claim 20, wherein said detection device includes: acontrol unit connected to receive signals from said sensor andprogrammed to interpret signals received from said sensor to determinewhether the end-aligned condition of the fibers remaining atop saidarray of fiber combs has been attained.
 22. A system for automaticallysuccessively testing multiple fiber samples, each of the samplesincluding an assembly of elongated fibers disposed side-by-side andarranged with the lengths of the individual fibers extending in adirection that is generally parallel to each other, the systemcomprising: an aligning apparatus for aligning at substantially the sametime, one end of each of at least two fiber samples before testing, eachof the samples including an assembly of elongated fibers disposedside-by-side and arranged with the lengths of the individual fibersextending in a direction that is generally parallel to each other, saidaligning apparatus including an array of aligned fiber combs, at least afirst gripper comb and a second gripper comb, a first carriage and afirst drive unit; said array of fiber combs including at least a firstfiber comb and a second fiber comb disposed parallel to and behind saidfirst fiber comb, said array of fiber combs being configured to receiveat least two discrete fiber samples, each fiber sample resting with thedirection of elongation of the fiber strands in said sample generallydisposed transversely to the parallel direction of said first and secondfiber combs; at least said first gripper comb being disposed adiacentsaid second gripper comb, said gripper combs being connected to move inunison, each said gripper comb being disposed in front of said firstfiber comb, each said gripper comb having at least two jaws disposed inopposition to each other and configured to selectively move toward andaway from each other to selectively close and open, respectively; andsaid gripper combs being carried by said first carriage, said firstdrive unit being configured to translate said first carriage and saidgripper combs together selectively toward and away from said array offiber combs by pre-selected distances; a testing station disposed besideand spaced apart from said aligning apparatus; a first pick and placemechanism disposed between said testing station and said aligningapparatus, said first pick and place mechanism being configured foracquiring said gripper combs together, said first pick and placemechanism being further configured for translating said gripper combstogether from said aligning apparatus to said testing station, and saidfirst pick and place mechanism being configured for positioning at leastone of said gripper combs for testing at said testing station.
 23. Asystem as in claim 22, further comprising: a support platform disposedbeneath said array of fiber combs, said gripper comb and said firstdrive unit; a suction device having a collection chamber disposedbeneath said support platform and configured for collection of fibersvacuumed away from said laws of each said gripper comb; a holdingstation spaced apart from each of said suction device and said testingstation, said holding station being disposed beside at least one of saidaligning apparatus and said testing station; a second pick and placemechanism disposed between said holding station and at least one of saidtesting station and said aligning apparatus, said second pick and placemechanism being configured for acquiring said gripper combs together,said second pick and place mechanism being further configured fortranslating said gripper combs together between said holding station andone of said aligining apparatus and said testing station, and saidsecond pick and place mechanism being configured for positioning atleast one of said gripper combs for holding at said holding station. 24.A system as in claim 22, wherein said first pick and place mechanismcomprises: a track disposed above at least said apparatus.
 25. A systemas in claim 24, wherein said first pick and place mechanism comprises: atrolley configured and disposed to travel along said track; a grippingarm configured to selectively grip and release said connected togethergripper combs; and a telescoping member having one end connected to saidtrolley and an opposite end connected to said gripping arm, the distancebetween said opposite ends of said telescoping member being selectivelyvariable.
 26. A method of simultaneously processing multiple fibersamples from a supply of fibers, the steps comprising: providing aplurality of discrete assemblies of elongated fibers disposedside-by-side and with each discrete assembly being arranged with thelengths of the individual fibers extending in a direction that isgenerally parallel to each other; disposing each said discrete fiberassembly atop an array of aligned fiber combs including at least a firstfiber comb disposed parallel to and in front of a second fiber comb;simultaneously moving the open jaws of each of a plurality of grippercombs toward said fiber assemblies until each said gripper comb isdisposed at a first distance from said first fiber comb and at leastsome of the fibers of one of said fiber assemblies project into saidjaws of one of said gripper combs; closing said jaws of each saidgripper comb to hold at least some of the fibers projecting into saidjaws of each said gripper comb; simultaneously moving said closed jawsof each said gripper comb away from said fiber assemblies; removing fromsaid jaws of each said gripper comb said fibers projecting into saidjaws of each said gripper comb; determining whether the end-alignedcondition of the fibers remaining atop said array of fiber combs hasbeen attained; upon determining the absence of the end-alignedcondition, simultaneously moving the open jaws of the gripper combstoward said fiber assembly until each said gripper comb is disposed at asecond distance from said first fiber comb that is less than said firstdistance and at least some of the remaining fibers of said fiberassemblies project into said jaws of at least one said gripper comb;closing said jaws of at least one said gripper comb into which fibersare projecting to hold at least some of said fibers projecting into saidjaws of said gripper comb; moving said closed jaws of said gripper combaway from said fiber assembly; removing from said jaws of said grippercomb said fibers projecting into said jaws of said gripper comb;determining whether the end-aligned condition of the fibers remainingatop said array of fiber combs has been attained; upon determining thatthe end-aligned condition in the fibers remaining atop said array offiber combs has been attained, removing said first fiber comb from saidarray of fiber combs; simultaneously moving the open jaws of the grippercombs toward said fiber assemblies until said gripper combs are disposedat a third distance from said second fiber comb that permits the ends ofthe remaining fibers carried by said second fiber comb to project intosaid open jaws of said gripper combs; and closing said jaws of saidgripper comb to hold said fibers projecting into said jaws of saidgripper combs, each discrete assembly of said fibers projecting intosaid jaws of said gripper combs composing a discrete sample ofend-aligned fibers.
 27. The method of processing fiber samples of claim26, further comprising the step of: transferring said end-aligned fibersamples to a testing station.
 28. A method as in claim 27, furthercomprising the step of: at the testing station, determining the shortfiber content of a first one of the end-aligned fiber sample.
 29. Amethod as in claim 28, further comprising the step of: at the testingstation, determining the short fiber content of a second one of theend-aligned fiber samples.